Patents Examined by Caroline Butcher
  • Patent number: 9822598
    Abstract: An impact generator includes a housing having an uphole end and a downhole end and defining a chamber therein between the uphole and downhole ends. A mandrel is movably arranged at least partially within the chamber between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration, and a top sub is coupled to the housing at the uphole end and has an upper core extension arranged at least partially therein. The upper core extension is configured to move between a fixed position, where the mandrel is maintained in the engaged configuration, and an unfixed position, where the mandrel is able to move to the disengaged configuration. An impact tool is coupled to a distal end of the mandrel to deliver an impact force to a downhole obstruction when the mandrel is moved to the disengaged configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Blaine Miller, Jack Gammill Clemens
  • Patent number: 9822633
    Abstract: A downhole steering tool comprising a first member, fixedly coupled with a drill string, and a second member, proximate the first member and rotatable substantially freely with respect to the first member. A first sensor is operable to measure a difference in rotation rates of the first and second members. A second sensor is operable to measure a substantially real-time rotation rate of the second member in the wellbore. A tool controller is operable to process sensor signals from the first and second sensors to determine a rotation rate of the drill string. Surface-initiated changes in the rotation rate of the drill string are then utilized by the downhole steering tool for steering and other control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Junichi Sugiura
  • Patent number: 9797221
    Abstract: A wellbore fluid treatment apparatus includes a tubing string including a first port with a first closure disposed thereover to close the first port to fluid flow and a second port spaced axially uphole from the first port and having a second closure disposed thereover to close the second port to fluid flow; and an actuator tool configured to move through the tubing string and (i) to set a seal in the tubing string downhole of the first port; (ii) to actuate the first closure to open the first port; and (iii) to actuate the second closure to open the second port. A method for treating a well may employ the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: PACKERS PLUS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Jon Themig, Robert Joe Coon, John Lee Emerson
  • Patent number: 9797217
    Abstract: A packer having a thermal memory spacing system that includes a portion of the system that that selectively changes an outer diameter due. The packer may include upper and lower sealing elements, and at least one thermal memory shape material sub positioned between the sealing elements. The thermal memory shape material sub may have a first outer diameter at a first temperature and a second larger outer diameter at a second temperature. The first temperature may be greater than the second temperature. The outer diameter of the sub may be selectively increased to temporarily decrease the annular area in which debris and/or materials may collect and potentially cause the packer to become stuck within the wellbore. Prior to moving the packer to a different location, the outer diameter of the sub may be decreased to increase the annular area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Flores, Rostyslav Dolog
  • Patent number: 9790765
    Abstract: An apparatus for sealing at least one hub bore of a multi-bore fluid hub associated with a wellhead assembly includes a plug body having a plug bore opening on an outer mating surface. A plug bore extends from a first end of the plug body to the plug bore opening. The plug body is selectively insertable into a hub housing of the multi-bore fluid hub. An insert is in engagement with the outer mating surface and is moveable relative to the plug body between an unengaged position, and an engaged position where the insert seals across one of the hub bores. A stem member is coupled to the plug body and is moveable to selectively rotate the plug body within the multi-bore fluid hub so that the plug bore opening aligns with one of the hub bores and the insert aligns with another of the hub bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: GE OIL & GAS PRESSURE CONTROL LP
    Inventors: Lloyd Ray Cheatham, Ben Calvin Holgate, Travis Kyle McEvoy, Christopher Michael Menard, Christopher Joseph Dibernardo
  • Patent number: 9790759
    Abstract: A multi-component tubular coupling is provided for wellhead assemblies. In one embodiment, the multi-component tubular coupling may include a first tubular member, a landing ring, and a second tubular member. The second tubular member may include internal threads, lock screws, or any combination thereof to couple to a wellhead component. In another embodiment, the multi-component tubular coupling may only include the first tubular member and the landing ring. In such an embodiment, a wellhead component may be secured to the coupling via lock screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9790746
    Abstract: Polycrystalline compacts include a polycrystalline material comprising a plurality of inter-bonded grains of hard material, and a metallic material disposed in interstitial spaces between the inter-bonded grains of hard material. At least a portion of the metallic material comprises a metal alloy that includes two or more elements. A first element of the two or more elements comprises at least one of cobalt, iron, and nickel. A second element of the two or more elements comprises at least one of dysprosium, yttrium, terbium, gadolinium, germanium, samarium, neodymium, and praseodymium. The metal alloys may comprise eutectic or near-eutectic compositions, and may have relatively low melting points. Cutting elements and earth-boring tools include such polycrystalline compacts. Methods include the formation of such polycrystalline compacts, cutting elements, and earth-boring tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Anthony A. DiGiovanni
  • Patent number: 9777541
    Abstract: An embodiment includes a wireline standoff that may ameliorate the effects of wireline cable differential sticking, wireline cable key seating, and high cable drags reducing or eliminating contact of the wireline cable with the borehole wall during the logging operation. An embodiment includes a wireline standoff. The wireline standoff may comprise a pair of opposing assemblies. The opposing assemblies may each comprise a half shell, a cable insert configured to be disposed in the half shell, and external fins coupled to the half shell. The wireline standoff may further comprise one or more fasteners configured to couple the opposing assemblies to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventors: Guy Wheater, Stuart Huyton
  • Patent number: 9771758
    Abstract: A technique facilitates selectively disengaging a running string from a lateral tube assembly. The running string comprises a running sub which is engageable with the lateral tube assembly. The running string further comprises a window finder which is positioned to extend into a main bore casing window when the running string is deployed downhole with the lateral tube assembly. Additionally, the running string comprises an extension sub which is coupled to the window finder. The extension sub is selectively extensible to disengage the window finder from the main bore casing prior to release of the running sub from the lateral tube assembly via a release force applied through the running string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: José F. Hurtado
  • Patent number: 9765592
    Abstract: Systems and methods for secondary sealing of a perforation present within a wellbore casing associated with a primary sealing agent. The wellbore casing defines a casing conduit present within a wellbore that extends between a surface region and a subterranean formation. The systems and methods include a sealing apparatus that retains a charge of sealing material with a secondary sealing agent and is conveyed within the casing conduit to within a threshold distance of the perforation. The systems and methods further include selectively releasing the charge of sealing material from the sealing apparatus, such as by a release mechanism, to deliver the charge of sealing material to the perforation, to supplement the primary sealing agent (and/or a seal formed thereby), and/or to decrease a flow rate of a fluid from the casing conduit through the perforation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Randy C. Tolman, Renzo M. Angeles Boza, Kris J. Nygaard, Christian S. Mayer, Pavlin B. Entchev
  • Patent number: 9759015
    Abstract: A superabrasive compact (e.g., a polycrystalline diamond compact) including a substrate and at least one feature for reducing the susceptibility of the substrate to liquid metal embrittlement during brazing operations is disclosed. The superabrasive compact may include a region between the substrate and a superabrasive table in which residual tensile stresses are located. The at least one feature may reduce the susceptibility of the substrate to liquid metal embrittlement by altering the stress state and/or substantially preventing the substrate from being wetted at the residual stress region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: David P. Miess
  • Patent number: 9759019
    Abstract: A tubular joint elevator includes a ringed portion configured to lift a tubular joint. The elevator includes an elevating mechanism disposed adjacent to the ringed portion, and configured to elevate the tubular joint. In some embodiments, the elevator includes first, second, and third doors. The elevator includes a first locking member, and the first door includes a first locking recess. The first locking member is axially displaceable between an advanced position and a retracted position such that it is either received in or separated from the first locking recess. The third door includes a locking pin, and the first door comprises a locking hole. The third door is longitudinally displaceable between a first position and a second position such that the locking pin is either separated from, or received in, the locking hole. Methods of using the same are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Canrig Drilling Technology, Ltd.
    Inventors: Stanislaw Casimir Sulima, Beat Küttel, Faisal J. Yousef
  • Patent number: 9752417
    Abstract: A gravel packing apparatus includes a base pipe having at least one opening in a sidewall portion thereof. A fluid filtration subassembly is positioned exteriorly of the base pipe and is in fluid communication with the at least one opening of the base pipe. The fluid filtration subassembly extends partially circumferentially around the base pipe and has at least two circumferential terminuses defining a circumferential gap therebetween. A slurry delivery subassembly is positioned exteriorly of the base pipe and at least partially within the circumferential gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Jan Veit
  • Patent number: 9745819
    Abstract: An annular barrier system for expanding an annular barrier in an annulus between a well tubular structure and an inside wall of a borehole downhole includes an annular barrier having a tubular part for mounting as part of the well tubular structure, the annular barrier further comprising an expandable sleeve surrounding the tubular part, at least one end of the expandable sleeve being fastened in a fastener of a connection part in the tubular part. The annular barrier system also comprises a tool for expanding the expandable sleeve by letting a pressurized fluid through a passage in the tubular part into a space between the expandable sleeve and the tubular part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Welltec A/S
    Inventors: Jørgen Hallundbæk, Paul Hazel
  • Patent number: 9745841
    Abstract: A method of fracture fluid clean-up from a fracture by assisting Darcy flow with electro-osmotic effects is provided. Proppants having suitable surface potential, and fracture fluids having suitable electrical conductivity are employed. A suitable electric field is imposed, using electrodes placed on the surface or in adjacent wells. The current creates an electro-osmotic flow that carries fluid to the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sonia Marino, Marc Thiercelin
  • Patent number: 9725983
    Abstract: A device and method can be initiated to stop an extreme oil leak at the point of origin in a well pipe, after a common Blowout Preventer (“BOP”) fails. An electromagnetic chemical adhesive pipe plugging system comprises an elongated hollow injection quill, with a plurality of circumferentially spaced magnetic jaws, shoes and heads, which are capable of being pushed radially outward into gripping engagement with an inner diameter of a pipe assisted by chemical adhesive bonds and a magnetic field, to plug the leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph Kahoe, Brandon Iglesias
  • Patent number: 9725992
    Abstract: A method of forming an entry guide at an end of a tubular string in a wellbore can include conveying a forming device into the wellbore, and deforming the end of the tubular string from a cylindrical shape to an outwardly widening shape with the forming device. A method of forming an entry guide at an end of an expanded liner hanger in a wellbore can include outwardly expanding the liner hanger, thereby sealingly securing a tubular string in the wellbore, and deforming the end of the liner hanger from a cylindrical shape to an outwardly widening shape with a forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Brock W. Watson, Daniel K. Moeller
  • Patent number: 9719334
    Abstract: A tool and method employing sand jetting to perforate a wellbore casing at various locations using sandjetting, and to further flush the wellbore in the region of the tool, and to further frac the formation, all without having to remove the tool from the wellbore. An uphole and downhole packer is provided, uphole of which a sand jet port is provided for jetting a fluid stream containing sand. Locking jaw members and a ‘j’ slot subassembly, downhole of both the jet port and frac port, are together used to set and unset the tool in the wellbore for the fracking operation. A slidable sleeve is utilized to open and close the jet port, and a piston member is further provided to set the upper packer member. A bypass port, selectively openable and closeable, is provided to assist in moving the tool uphole during the perforating and fracking process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: William Jani
  • Patent number: 9708901
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods of balancing weight and hydraulic energy distribution between downhole cutting tools. One system includes a drill bit arranged at a distal end of the bottom-hole assembly, a first sensor sub arranged proximate to the drill bit and configured to monitor weight-on-bit, a reamer axially-offset from the drill bit on the bottom-hole assembly, a second sensor sub arranged proximate to the reamer and configured to monitor weight-on-reamer, and a communications module communicably coupled to both the first and second sensor subs and configured to receive and process the weight-on-bit and the weight-on-reamer and adjust a hydraulic energy input to at least one of the drill bit and the reamer when a ratio between the weight-on-bit and the weight-on-reamer surpasses a predetermined operating threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Robello Samuel
  • Patent number: 9695657
    Abstract: An assembly and method of latching an upper completion mandrel to a lower completion receptacle that is located downhole to prevent or limit movement between the mandrel and the receptacle. The method includes lowering the mandrel having a latch assembly carried by the mandrel to a first position relative to the receptacle, raising the mandrel to position the latch assembly in a second position relative to the receptacle, and lowering the mandrel to position the latch assembly in a third position relative to the receptacle to limit upward and downward movement of the mandrel relative to the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Timothy E. Harms